Big care for tiny lives

At the stroke of midnight on Jan. 1, Ashley and Allen Morgan of Leesburg welcomed their son, Travis Michael Morgan, at AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares. Weighing 7 pounds, 9 ounces, and measuring 20 inches, Travis was the first baby of 2025 born in Central Florida.

"It’s so exciting that he was the very first baby born on New Year's Day,” said Ashley, beaming with pride and excitement. “The staff have been all so sweet and caring. They have gone above and beyond for my family.”

During her pregnancy, Ashley faced a challenging situation as Travis was in a breech position. She was scheduled for a c-section, but when she arrived at AdventHealth Waterman experiencing contractions, the team decided to perform one last ultrasound. To everyone's relief, Travis had turned and was now head down, allowing for a natural delivery.

The Morgan family’s story is just one example of the exceptional care provided at The Baby Place® at AdventHealth Waterman, which recently earned several prestigious honors for maternal and infant health:

• Level I Maternal Levels of Care designation: Recognized by The Joint Commission, this designation highlights AdventHealth Waterman’s comprehensive and high-quality care for mothers and babies, ensuring safety and support throughout pregnancy and delivery.
• Infant Safe Sleep certification: Awarded by The Joint Commission, this certification underscores AdventHealth Waterman’s commitment to the best practices in infant sleep safety, helping parents feel confident in their newborn’s care.
• 5-star PACC Initiative Performance: Designated by the Florida Perinatal Quality Collaborative’s Postpartum Access and Continuity of Care (PACC) Initiative, this honor reflects AdventHealth Waterman’s excellence in supporting new mothers during the critical postpartum period.

“These recognitions affirm we are providing the safest, most effective care for mothers and babies,” said OBGYN Dr. Marilyn Mayne. “From labor and delivery to postpartum care, our team is committed to excellence every step of the way.”

The success is a team effort, involving OB/GYNs, midwives, registered nurses and clinic staff who guide families through pregnancy, delivery and beyond.

For the Morgan family, this commitment made all the difference.

“Knowing that I delivered at a hospital with this type of care gave me so much peace of mind,” Ashley said. “The staff were incredibly compassionate and attentive, making sure every need of ours was met. I wholeheartedly recommend AdventHealth Waterman to all expecting moms.”